Tag Archives: Phoenix

PHOENIX – To some gang members, kids in south Phoenix are potential recruits. But to the people behind Project TRUCE, they are the future, and a catalyst for peace in a neighborhood riddled with gun violence.

“It’s probably one of the things that keeps me up at night, when you see a 4-year-old throw up a gang sign,” said Advisory Board Member Deborah Kidd Chapman, who teaches children from her neighborhood to follow a productive path.

“I learned a lot on those streets, and I learned a lot about what it means to make good choices in your life,” said Chapman. “When I was given a do-over, I said I would try to direct children to make positive choices in their lives.”

PHOENIX, Ariz. — At least one police officer and two suspects were killed Wednesday when a gunbattle erupted during an undercover drug operation in Phoenix, police said.

The shootout left two other officers wounded and two other suspects hospitalized with non life-threatening injuries, said Sgt. Steve Martos, a Phoenix police spokesman.

Two more suspects were detained and being questioned, Martos said. A seventh was being sought.

All three officers were from the Chandler Police Department. One was pronounced dead at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, authorities said. One of the wounded officers was in critical condition at the same hospital while the other was in stable condition.

The names of the officers were being withheld until their families were notified, authorities said.

The Arizona Republic The Phoenix police officer accused of abusing his authority in the handcuffing of City Councilman Michael Johnson was known as a goal-oriented rookie who supervisors praised for his sensitivity in working with south Phoenix residents, records show.

Brian Authement, 27, received near-flawless marks on a February job review and has not been disciplined during his time at South Mountain Precinct, according to records released Friday. He’s worked in that precinct since graduating from the academy.

A handful of African-American community leaders made one final plea to restore year-round funding for the decades-old South Phoenix Youth Center. Food-tax revenue will keep it open only during summers.”Youre closing the community out by closing these centers,” said longtime Valley broadcaster Art Mobley.